Electric switch



A. PALME ELECTRIC SWITCH Dec, 27, 1949 Filed Aug. 23, 1944 INSULATIONInventor": Arthur Palme, by His Attorney.

Patented Dec. 27, 1949 ELECTRIC SWITCH Artliurrflaime Pittsfield, Mass,assigncr to Gen-- era'li. Electric fiompany, a corporation of! New- YorkApplication August23, 1944,.Serial No. 550,696:

95Glaims:

My invention relates toiinprovements: in-electrio switches and moreparticularly electric switches which a're positively meehanicaily heldbra-toggle in theopen and clbsed positions and yet quickly-operable fromat least-- oneof" these positions to the oth'er.

' In'the applicationof -ground-faultneutralizers to the protection of"alternating current systems againsttransient'ground faults, itis common,as disclosed for example-in United- States- Eetters Patent 23258 248;issuedoctbh'er 73 T941 to provide an arrangement for short circuitingtheground fault neutralizer incase-oi permanent faults so-thatthesecanbecleared by the system protective" relays; I-his short circuitingactionis generally efiected'by' the closing" of a normally open-switchdna circuit-'togroundin'para'il'el with the ground fault neutralizer aftera ground fault has lasted longer' than a time'- sufficient for thenormal arc extinction actioncf the ground fault essary for theproperresponsiveactiom of the system relays. Also it hasbeen proposed, as diclosed for" example in United States Letters Patent 2,258124'6, dated-October '7, 194 1, that, in the-event of a failure of th'e'systemprotective relays or the circuit" breakerscontrolled thereby to clear apermanent fault, thcshort' circuit be removed to restore thecurrentlimiting action of the ground fault neutralizer'. Inthis case, thegrounding switch may require a: relatively high interrupting capacity.

An object ofmy invention is to provide an improved electric switch]which ispositively held in both the open "and closed positions' byreadilyreleasable mechanisms order to insure quick op- "erationof thewitch-s Anotherohjectof my inwention is to provide an improvedelectri'e' swi-t'ch mechanical: homing: means such: as tome vent theopening of the switch particularly under the magnetic" eifectsvof largecumrents carried; by the switch; Stil'l another-objector. my inventionis to provide an improved: electric switch double :iaterccnnectee e ms'meohaiiism able insulating means 1. contact t comprises jaw contactelements s. Also,

which closes: quickly; A further object of my inventionisto provide animproved electric switch which is relatively: simple and-'- economical'and which can readily-be immersed in: an insulating fluid to provide arelatively large interrupting capacity. These and other objects of myinven tion willappea-rin more detail hereinafter.

In accordance with my: invention; I provide an improved electric switchwhose movable circuit controlling member is respeotively held in twodifferent-circuit controlling positions by two collapsibl'e mechanismswhich are so interconnected and controlled as to permit movement of themember from either ofsai'cl circuit controlling positionsto theother'thereof t'o release themechanism holding the memberin eitherposition and to set' theother-mechanism when the member is moved to theother position. Also inaccordance with my invention; the two collapsiblemechanisms can be twot'oggles one of which has one end thereofpivotallyinterconnected inter-mealtate the ends of the other toggle andthe other of which has one of'its ends pivotally: connected to themember. Further in accordance withmy invention; I provide-meansin-whi'ch energy is stored duringmovement ofthe circuit controllingmember from one circuit controlling position tothe other quickly toeffect the reverse movement of the member when the holding mechanism isreleased.

M-y invention will be better understood from the following descriptionwhen considered in connection with-theaccompanying sheet of drawings,and its'scopewill' be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying sheetoi drawings; Fig. 1 illustrates in verticalside elevation an electric switch embodying myinvention and shown in thecircuitclbsed" position, and Fig; 2 is an elevation similar to Fig. 1showing the switch in the circuit open position.

In the'illustratecl embodiment of myinvention, a movable-circuitcontrolling member I is carried ozran arm 2 which ispivot'ally mountedat 3011 a fixed support Asshown, the arm 2 includes an interveningsection 5' of suitable-insulating mate- 'rial whereby to insulate thecontact I from the operating parts: of the switch. The member i is ineffect-a movable contact which cooperates with astationary terminalcontact 6 mounted on suit- Also illustrated, the

the movable contact I has suitably conductively connected thereto aflexible current-.- conductor 9 which extends to a: suitable stationaryinsulating centers of the pins 25 and 21.

means, not shown. The circuit through the switch from an incoming leadit includes then the terminal contact IS, the contact jaws B, themovable contact I, and the flexible conductor For quickly moving thecontact I to the closed circuit position, I provide suitable energystoring means such as the resilent element or spring ii in which energyis stored during the opening movement of the contact I to effect theclosing movement thereof when desired. As shown, the spring II is acompression spring which is positioned between a fixed abutment I2 andthe lower end of the arm 2 below the pivot 23. For suitably anchoringthe ends of the spring H, I provide cups I3 which are carried by thespring at the ends thereof and which seat on projections Hi and I5 onthe abutment I2 and the arm 2, respectively. With this arrangement, itwill be obvious that the spring II tends to move the arm 2counterclockwise, that is, to close the switch.

For holding the circuit controlling member or contact I in two differentcircuit controlling positions, such as the circuit open and circuitclosed positions shown, I provide in accordance with my invention twointerconnected alternately oversettable and collapsible togglemechanisms which are respectively shown as a first toggle comprisinglinks I6 and I1 for holding the switch closed and a second togglecomprising links I8 and I9 for holding the switch open against the biasof the spring II. The toggle links I6 and I1 are pivotallyinterconnected at 29 and respectively pivoted at 2| to a stationarysupport 22 and to the arm 2 at 23 so that one end of the toggle is fixedand the other end is movable with i the switch arm 2. In the closedposition of the switch shown in Fig. 1, the toggle Iii-I1 is overset soas to hold the switch closed, that is, the center of the pin is below astraight line through the centers of the pins 2| and 23 with motionlimited in the overset direction by the link It bearing against theabutment I2. The toggle links I8 and [9 are pivotally interconnected at26 and respectively pivoted at 25 to a stationary support 26 and to thelink I6 at an intermediate point 21 while the movable end pivot 21 ofthe second toggle lies intermediate the fixed. end pivot 2| and the kneepivot 20 of the first toggle. Motion of the toggle pivot 24 in thetoggle holding direction is limited by an extension 28 on the link IB.In the open position of the switch, shown in Fig. 2, this extension 28abuts the link I9 to maintain the toggle I8 I9 in the overset thrusttransmitting condition with the toggle overset, that is, the center ofthe pin 24 is to the left of a straight line through the For conveniencein designating the links of the toggles, I choose to define the links Itand I9, which have the stationary pivots 2| and 25, respectively, asconfined links and the links I1 and I8 are free links.

For controlling the toggles Iii-l1 and Iii-I9 to permit movement of thecontact I from either of its circuit controlling positions to the otherthereof, I provide in accordance with my invention means operative torelease the toggle holding the contact in either position and to overset:the other toggle when the member is moved to the other position. Asshown, the means for releasing or collapsing the toggle I8l9 from theholding position shown in Fig. 2 comprises an electromagnet having anenergizing winding 29 and an armature 3!] which is arranged uponmovement to the attracted position to turn the :link It clockwise'so'asto break the toggle Iii-I9.

For this purpose, I provide the link I9 with a rigid arm 3i which iscoupled to the armature 3G by a lost motion link 32 pivotally connectedto the armature at 33. Movement of the armature 153 to the unattractedposition is limited by a stop 34 against which a projection 35 on thearmature 36 comes to rest upon deenergization of the winding 29.

For collapsing the toggle I 6I 1, opening the switch and compressing thespring II, and setting the toggle I8-I9, I provide in accordance with myinvention suitable means such as an electromagnet comprising anenergizing winding 36 and an armature 31. The armature 31 is coupled tothe toggle link I8 through a link 33 which is pivoted to the armature at39 and to the toggle link It by the pivot 40. The pivot 46 is so locatedas to lie between the pivots 2I and 21 associated with the toggle linkI6. This ofiset connection enables the operating electromagnet 36 toperform a double successive function, namely, first collapse the togglelinks I6 and I1 and then overset the toggle links I8 and I9 to maintainthe toggle links I6 and I1 collapsed.

Assuming the switch is closed as shown in Fig. 1, then the toggle I6-I1is overset firmly to maintain the contact I in engagement with thecontact jaws 8 of the terminal contact 6 against magnetic influences inconsequence of currents which may be passing through the switch. When itis desired to open the switch, the winding 36 is energized to raise thearmature 31 from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown inFig. 2. As the armature rises, the toggle link I6 is turnedcounterclockwise to release the toggle ItI1. With the continued upwardmovement of the armature, the toggle link It continues to movecounterclockwise thus further collapsing the toggle I6-I1 and rotatingthe contact carrying arm 2 clockwise about its pivot 3 to reenergize thespring II. During this upward movement of the armature 31, the toggleI8I9 is straightened until the final phase of the opening movement whenthe extension 28 on the toggle link I9 abuts the toggle link l9 as shownin Fig. 2. In this position, the energy stored in the spring II actingthrough the arm 2 and the toggle link I1 tends to turn the toggle linkI6 clockwise. Through the pivot 21, this applies a torque to the togglelink l8 tending to turn it clockwise about its pivot 24. However, suchclockwise movement is prevented by virtue of the toggle link extension28 abutting the toggle link l9. In consequence, the switch is firmlymaintained in the circuit open position.

When it is desired to close the switch, the winding 29 is energized toattract the armature 3B. Upward movement of the armature 3!) rotates thetoggle link I9 clockwise about its pivot 25 whereby to release thetoggle I8--I 9 thus permitting the energy stored in the spring I I toturn the contact arm 2 counterclockwise to the closed position shown inFig. 1. During this movement, the toggle I6-I1 drops into the oversetposition shown. In the closed position of the switch, the armature 3c isfree to return to the unattracted osition upon deenergization of thewinding 29 by reason of the lost motion'link 32. Also, as soon as thetoggle I8--I9 is broken during the closing operation of the switch, thetoggle link I9 with its rigid extension 3| is free to rotate clockwiseindependently of movement of the armature 38 because of the lost motionlink 32.

' From the foregoing, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat switches embodying a so my nvent-16a are roe-crew" compact andsimple form and readily adaptable 1:0 immersion in a suitable insulatingfluid such as oil whereby relatively large cur-rents can besatisfactorily interrupted. 1

While I have shown and described my invention in considerable detail, Inot desire to be limited to the exact arrangement shown, but seek tocover in the appended claims all those modifications that fall withinthe true spirit and scope of my invention. l What I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is '1'. Anelectric switch comprising a movable circuit controlling member, twotoggles arranged" to be overset but one at a time for respectivelyholding" said member in two different circuit controlling positions, thefree link of one of said toggles being pivotally connected to the othertoggle intermediate the ends, of the confined link thereof and the freelink of said other toggle being pivotally connected to said member, andmeans respectively connected to the two links of one of said toggles forcontrolling said toggles to permit movement of the member from either ofsaid positions to the other thereof operative to release the toggleholding the member in either of said positions and to set the othertoggle when the member is moved to the other of said positions.

2. An electric switch comprising a movable circuit controlling member, afirst toggle mechanism for holding said member in the circuit openposition, a second toggle mechanism for holding said member in thecircuit closing position, a first electromagnetic means for collapsingsaid first mechanism when the member is in said circuit open positionand setting said second mechanism when the member is in the circuitclosing position, a lost motion connection between said firstelectromagnetic means and the confined link of said first mechanism, anda second electromagnetic means for collapsing said second mechanism whenthe member is in the circuit closing position and setting said firstmechanism when the member is in the circuit open position said secondelectromagnetic means being connected to the free link of said firstmechanism.

3. An electric switch comprising a movable circuit controlling member,resilient means tending to move said member to the circuit closedposition, a first toggle for holding said member in the circuit openposition against the bias of said resilient means, a second toggle forholding said member in the circuit closed position, a freshelectromagnetic means for releasing said first toggle to permit saidresilient means to move said member to the closed position operative toeffect the setting of said second toggle when the member reaches theclosed position, a lost motion connection between said firstelectromagnetic means and the confined link of said first toggle, and asecond electromagnetic means for releasing said second toggle andreturning said member to the circuit open position against the bias ofsaid resilient means operative to set said first toggle when the memberreaches the circuit opening position said second electromagnetic meansbeing connected to the free link of said first toggle.

4. An electric switch comprising a movable circuit controlling member,two toggles arranged to be overset but one at a time for respectivelyholding said member in two different circuit controlling positions, thefree link of one of said toggles being iveany' connected to the othertoggle intermediatethe' ends of the confinedlinli thereofand the free"link of saidother toggle being pivotally connected to said member,actuating means connected to the free-uni: of said one toggle forexerting thereon a force for releasing said other toggle andsubsequently s'et ting said onetoggle; and actuating means for exertingon the confined link of said one toggle aforce for renasrng said onetoggle and subsequently setting said other toggle. V g

5. An electric switch comprising a movable circuit controllingmembei',resilient means in which energyis adapted to be-stored for moving saidmember tothbcircuitclosed position, two toggles arranged'tobe oversetbut one at a time for respectively'lholding" said member in the cir curtclosed and circuit compositions, the" free link of one of said togglesbeing pivotally con;- nec'ted to the other toggle intermediate'theendsof the confined link thereof" and the" free link of said" other togglebeing pivotally connected to said member, actuating means connected tothe free link of said one toggle for exerting thereon a force forreleasing said other toggle, storing energy in said resilient means andsubsequently setting said one toggle to hold said member in the circuitopen position, and actuating means for exerting on the confined link ofsaid one toggle a force for releasing said one toggle to permit movementof the member to the circuit closed position under the bias of saidresilient means and for subsequently setting said other toggle tomaintain said member in the circuit closed position.

6. An electric switch comprising a circuit-controlling member movablebetween two positions and having a first operating toggle overset forholding the member in one position, a second operating toggleinterconnected intermediate the ends of the first toggle to overset thefirst toggle when the second toggle is collapsed, an electromagnetconnected only to collapse the second toggle, and a separatelyenergizable electromagnet connected with the second toggle both tocollapse the first toggle to move the circuit controlling member to theother position and overset the second toggle to hold the first togglecollapsed.

'7. An electric switch comprising a circuit controlling member movablebetween two positions, a first toggle connected to move the member toone position when the toggle is collapsed and to the other position whenthe toggle is overset for holding the member therein, a second togglehaving one end connected intermediate the ends of the first toggle tooverset the first toggle when the second toggle is collapsed, anelectromagnet connected to collapse the second toggle, and a separateelectromagnet connected both to collapse the first toggle and oversetthe second toggle to hold the first toggle collapsed.

8. An electric switch comprising a circuit controlling member movablebetween two positions and having biasing means for moving the memberfrom one circuit controlling position to the other, a first toggleconnected with the movable member to be collapsed when the member is inthe one position and to be overset for holding the member in the otherposition, a second toggle having one end thereof interconnectedintermediate the ends of the first toggle to overset the first togglewhen the second toggle is collapsed, an electromagnet having alost-motion connection only for collapsing the second toggle, and asecond electromagnet connected with the second 7 toggle both to collapsethe first toggle to eflect snap movement of the member in accordancewith the bias and to overset the second toggle to hold the first togglecollapsed.

9. An electric switch comprising a circuit-controlling member pivotallymounted for movement between two positions and having biasing means formoving the member from one position to the other, a first toggle havingits movable end connected with the circuit-controlling member to becollapsed when the member is in the one position and to be overset forrigidly holding the member in the other position, a second toggle havingits movable end connected between the fixed end and the knee of thefirst toggle to overset the first toggle when the second toggle iscollapsed, an electromagnet having a lost-motion connection only forcollapsing the second toggle, and a second electromagnet having anoffset connection with the said movable end of the second toggle bothfor collapsing the first toggle to efiect snap movement of the memberfrom the one position to the other position in accordance with its biasand for oversetting the second toggle to hold the first togglecollapsed.

ARTHUR PALME.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis rpatent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,492,762December 27, 1949 ARTHUR PALME It is hereby certified that errors appearin the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiringcorrection as follows:

Column 3, line 61, for the words are free read as free; column 5, line56, for fresh read first;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these correctionstherein that the same may conform to the record of the case in thePatent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 23rd day of May, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Oommz'ssz'oner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,492,762 December 27, 1949 ARTHURPALME It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printedspecification of the above numbered patent requiring correction asfollows:

Column 3, line 61, for the words are free read as free; column 5, line56, for fresh read first; and that the said Letters Patent should beread with these corrections therein that the same may conform to therecord of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 23rd day of May, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

